Vespa scooters in India may get ABS; Vespa Sprint S150 ABS in the offing?

Italian manufacturer Piaggio is looking to equip its Vespa range in India with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), suggest emerging reports. Vespa's current India line-up includes five models â€" Vespa SXL 150, Vespa VXL 150, Vespa SXL 125, Vespa VXL 125 and Vespa.

Although it is not sure whether any of the current models in India will get the safety feature ABS or the company is looking to introduce new range of scooters with ABS, rumours doing the rounds on the internet indicate that the company is considering the matter and is likely to announce the decision soon. The decision is said to be in the wake of the new safety norm, which would come into effect from 2017. Two-wheelers with engine displacements of 125cc or above are mandated to come with ABS or the combined brake system (CBS) by 2017.

If this rings true, Vespa range of scooters will be the first in India to get ABS. At present, only the motorcycles in India come with ABS. This latest rumours on the web coincides with the import of Vespa Sprint S150 in India. Vespa Sprint S150 is one of Piaggio's scooters that comes with ABS and the scooter is said to have been brought to the country for Research and Development (R&D) purpose.

Meanwhile, Piaggio will launch Aprilia SR 150 in India in August. Priced at Rs. 65,000 (introductory pricing), it will be powered by the 154.4cc 3-valve, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that is already powering the Vespa 150 in the country. The mill is expected to generate 11.8bhp and 11Nm of torque mated to a CVT unit.